Light bulb for courtesy lite?

[aevansgatech]

Can someone link me to a light bulb that works with the standard center console courtesy lite?

I've searched a few part numbers that are no longer available from other posts

[JohnMc]

On my 1970 the bulb is the same as the two in the engine bay and one in trunk. I think someone called them bayonet bulbs. Mine says 12v 5w XE (I think it is new one's designation).
I got some at Batteries Plus Lights in Sacramento area - they were about $4.

[DieselSpider]

Advance Auto Parts can look them up for you along with all the other bulbs in a Fiat Spider and they have had all I have ever required in stock. Most are pretty standard bulbs.

[aevansgatech]

As with most projects it became much more clear when I just dig into it.

Went to Advance auto, brought the courtesy lite socket with me and found a 12V LED in the proper size. Popped it in, it pulls 1W instead of 5W from the traditional bulb and wow it's bright!

[njoconnor]

+1 on the LED bulb for the courtesy light. Much brighter, less draw. Once I clean up the contacts/grounds, one's going in the trunk as well!

Neil

PS: In the unlikely event that there's no Advance Auto near you, check Walmart (LED bulb section is growing fast), and superbrightleds.com .

[dreavis]

I am finding it impossible to get to the bulb. I'm afraid I am going to damage the courtesy light unit trying to get to the bulb. Any tips?

[aevansgatech]

I popped the whole light housing out of the center console. You should be able to pull it out enough to disconnect the wires and it's easier to get the bulb out if it's out of the vehicle

That being said I also don't have a radio in there yet so I can see how it's harder to maneuver with the radio installed

[AriK]

+1 on the LED bulb for the courtesy light. Much brighter, less draw. Once I clean up the contacts/grounds, one's going in the trunk as well!

Neil

PS: In the unlikely event that there's no Advance Auto near you, check Walmart (LED bulb section is growing fast), and superbrightleds.com .

If you have an original trunk light socket good luck with an LED. That fixture works on reverse polarity.

[njoconnor]

Ahhhh...thanks for that tip! Haven't gone back into it, but I'll try a "normal" bulb first. May be a moot point, thought: the original (open) fiixture looked to be cracked when I last glanced at it. Been a while.

Neil